To reiterate, Jude is writing to a congregation of believers that has been infiltrated with pretenders, those who masquerade as believers, yet whose real purpose is to divide and destroy. In verse 19, Jude describes these folks as not having the Spirit. This is a group of people who are not true believers, although sometimes, to gain access, they claim to be.
Remember that not everyone who claims the name of Jesus Christ is truly His. Some only put on His name as we would put on a costume for a party. They are deceivers, who disguise themselves as our brothers and sisters in Christ.
What should be our response to these? The answer is in verse 3.
"Fight with everything you have in you" ... "guard and cherish" that gift {our relationship with Jesus} which has been entrusted to us. (The Message) Note that Jude is not recommending that we attack people, but that we earnestly fight for our faith, that we stand up and declare its truth, that we not back down in the face of false teaching or opposition.
As believers, we need to be aware that the world does not want us to speak up about our faith. We are often criticized for being "haters" when we speak the truth, and to be honest, some people who claim the name of Jesus DO tell the truth with a hateful attitude. This is not right, nor is it what Jude is advocating in his letter. (Jesus, our supreme example, never spewed hate as He spoke truth.) However, some of us believers are cowed into submission, intimidated by that criticism so that we hold back from speaking the truth. This is equally wrong; and, it is just what Satan and those who disagree with us want! They long for us to just "sit down and shut up"!
We are to show Jesus' love to all people, but that does not mean we have to back down and agree with them, when they are spouting error. I love how The Message version translates verses 22-23:
"Be tender with sinners, but not soft on sin."
With those who are merely misguided, we should pursue them and try to convince them through prayer and the Word of God, regarding the errors of their belief and practice. In contrast, with those who are wantonly and willfully pursuing evil (see the description in yesterday's post), we must continue to pray for them, but separate ourselves from them until and unless they repent and turn to Truth.
Jude sums up our prescribed response very succinctly in verses 20-21: (The Message)
"But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith
by praying in the Holy Spirit,
staying right in the center of God's love,
keeping your arms open and outstretched,
ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ.
This is the unending life, the real life!"
When the Spirit gives you opportunities to share His truth, pray about your response (vs. 20). If you let Him guide you, He will show you the best way to testify to what He has done in your life, and to share His truth with others. Watch out for the evil spirit of pride, which can not only make you a "stench" to non-believers, but can also lead to your own stumbling. Micah's precious words come to mind:
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you
but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy,
and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8
(Amplified Bible version)
Oh yes!
Dear Father, as we seek to walk before you, resplendent, please never let us be arrogant or "puffed up", swollen with pride, as we share your Truth. For, the truth is, every one of us was a dirty, rotten sinner before You rescued us in Your mercy. This message of grace and righteousness is all about You! We are merely the messengers. Please convict us of our cowardice, in backing down when your Spirit prompts us to confront error with Your love. Energize us and empower us with your Holy Spirit at all times, but especially in those times. Fill our mouths with your words, loving Father. May we be ambassadors of Your truth, Your love, Your grace. In the name of our precious Savior I pray, amen.
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